2018 World Cup Golden Boot: Kane, Lukaku & the race for top scorer in Russia

As the tournament heads into the next stage, the battle for sharpshooting supremacy, involving some of the best strikers in the world, is heating up

#1 Harry Kane | England | 6 goals, 4 games

Having dominated the scoring charts in the Premier League in recent years, Harry Kane has finally translated that to international level and England are reaping the benefits. The Tottenham striker was handed the captain’s armband by Gareth Southgate ahead of the World Cup and he is repaying that faith in abundance, making history along the way.

#2 Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 4 goals, 4 games

Romelu Lukaku arrived in Russia as Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer and the Manchester United striker has further cemented that legacy at this World Cup as the Red Devils attempt to live up to expectations. The 25-year-old has already broken records at the tournament and looks primed to surpass the national record of five World Cup goals set by his compatriot Marc Wilmots.

#3 Denis Cheryshev | Russia | 4 goals, 4 games

Despite not being a starter for Russia in their opening game, Denis Cheryshev has emerged as one of the World Cup’s breakout stars and he now appears to be a key component for the hosts in their push for glory. The Villarreal winger has shown plenty of guile thus far and is a surprising contender in the race for the Golden Boot.

He netted the opener in the quarter-final tie against Croatia but his side lost in a penalty shootout after finishing stoppage time with the score at 2-2.

#4 Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 4 goals, 4 games

While he is undoubtedly one of the greatest goalscorers ever to grace the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo’s record at the World Cup was abysmal – until Russia 2018. Portugal’s record-holder for both goals and appearances had scored just three goals in total across three tournament before taking to the field in his country’s opener against Spain. The rest is history: a remarkable hat-trick against La Roja was followed by the goal that saw him overtake Ferenc Puskas as the top international scorer in European football history.

#5 Artem Dzyuba | Russia | 3 goals, 4 games

Like Cheryshev, Artem Dzyuba was not a starter for Russia in their opening game, but the Zenit forward has forced his way into the reckoning after showing that he has the ability to find the net on a regular basis.

#6 Antoine Griezmann | France | 3 goals, 5 games

Antoine Griezmann has emerged as one of France’s key players and he continues to show why he is so important to Les Bleus as he adds to his goal tally.

The Atletico Madrid man has struck twice from the penalty spot and was then decisive in France seeing off Uruguay in the quarter-finals.

Griezmann’s whipped-in free-kick in the first half was glanced home by Raphael Varane before he scored France’s second of the game when his powerful shot from outside the penalty area was spilled by Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera.